Instead, the young Harding Steinbrenner Racing driver let it rip, and smacked a home run.

"I don't see it that way, no," Herta said minutes after posting the second fastest time of Wednesday's oval test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "Maybe if I was at a Grand Prix weekend, maybe a bit more.

"But not on these weekends, because he's kind of coming into my playground now ... in America. If I was over in Rockingham (Motor Speedway), yes, it would be pretty cool, but it's different here."

Hear that? That's the sound of a no-doubter home run, blasted into the upper deck. And that Cheshire grin he wore on his face throughout the answer? That was the bat flip.

Immediately after the clip of Herta's answer was posted on the Internet, it went viral, with hundreds of fans eager to provide their opinions. Most seemed to enjoy Herta's display of honestly and charisma, but others thought his answer lacked the proper notes of respect.

I disagree, wholeheartedly. So did the youngest winner in IndyCar history.

"At what point was I disrespectful?" Herta responded to a fan on Twitter. "I simply said I was not in awe of him for the fact that I have to try and beat him and won’t race him different than any other person. Do you really need me to tell you how good of a driver he is? I think that’s pretty obvious!"

Herta doesn't need a history lesson. Despite being only 19 years old, he's not some punk kid. He grew up in a racing family. His father, IndyCar driver-turned team owner Bryan Herta raced with and for some of the biggest names in motorsports history (Foyt, Andretti, Mansell, Rahal ... the list goes on).

Colton Herta knows who Fernando Alonso is and what he's accomplished. His answer wasn't about respect. Is was about competition.

At what point was I disrespectful? I simply said I was not in awe of him for the fact that I have to try and beat him and won’t race him different than any other person. Do you really need me to tell you how good of a driver he is? I think that’s pretty obvious!

Look, are Herta and other IndyCar drivers happy Alonso has made a much-publicized return to IMS to try and collect the final jewel in his Triple Crown? Sure. They're pleased Alonso -- a household name around the world -- will bring more eyes to their sport and its Super Bowl.

But are they bowing at the altar of Alonso's greatness or simply happy to be graced with his presence? Absolutely not.

To be clear, that's not the type of attention Alonso is seeking, either. Since he first arrived on IMS' hallowed grounds two years ago, he's played the part of humble superstar, happy, eager even, to learn the 500's sacred rituals while being treated like every other hopeful entrant.

Still, his achievements loom large and at times cast a shadow over much of the rest of the IndyCar paddock. Because of his place in racing lore, his every move is studied more closely, covered more closely, carefully dissected by members of the media (present company included).

That added attention perhaps gives the impression that he's as revered inside the paddock as he is outside of it. And that's simply not the case -- as Herta explained Wednesday.

Herta simply can't afford to be in awe of Alonso. Alonso, on race day, at qualifying, during practice, is his competitor. One of 35 others Herta is out to defeat. It's not disrespect. That's competitive fire. And it burns inside him.

Occasionally, he's not afraid to remind people of that. In this way, Herta's sounds like 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi, he of the take-no-prisoners, "I'm-not-here-to-make-friends" attitude on the track.

Last year, when Rossi got into scrapes with Robert Wickens and other members of the IndyCar paddock, he insisted he had no intention of "playing nice" with his off-track friends.

“I’m here to win races and win a championship. This isn’t a friend competition,” Rossi told IndyStar last year. "This isn’t a buddy-buddy type of thing for me. I’m happy to be friends with them off the track and when we take our helmets off, but once the race starts, man, unless you are a teammate of mine. I’m not here to do anyone any favors.”

On track, he has one goal: Win. Racing isn't about admiration for your opponent. It's about the burning desire to beat him or her. It’s about having a killer instinct.

Rossi has it. It seems Herta does, too. That attitude not only gives him a competitive edge but an attitude and identity racing fans will adore. Remember, IndyCar’s is a fan base populated by a generation of people who grew up idolizing A.J. Foyt -- a man who was never afraid to tell it like it is.

Unvarnished answers aren't always easy to come by in sport, either. Racing tends to feature it more than others, but fans and media are still often inundated with a hailstorm of cliches on race weekends:

"It is what it is."

"It's the same for everyone.”

“I’m just happy to be here.”

(I actually heard all of three these at least once on Wednesday).

Snooze.

So when a driver has a perfect opportunity to boringly say, "Aw shucks, it sure is great to race alongside someone as accomplished as Fernando," let's please not try and dissuade him from the real answer -- the one he feels inside his belly.

"He's coming into my playground now."

That's wonderful.

But if you can't bring yourself to appreciate that mentality, then at least recognize the honesty before you call the Fun Police. Herta was asked a question; he told the truth. Bravo. Good on him for being himself.

And from my point of view, if Herta comes with a little attitude, a little bravado, a little swagger, even better. This sport could use more of that. Especially from a kid who's got the talent to back it up.